Awesome Vending Machines

Fun-Tech-Lab – makers of the Windsible miniature wind tunnel may have outdone themselves with their latest creation. This desktop parking garage is the perfect place to display your Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and other 1/64-scale cars. The garage will have a motorized elevator system that moves cars in and out of their spaces via a smartphone app.

This 1,343-piece LEGO Minifigure Vending Machine kit is a wonderful display piece. Fan-designed and voted into production, this working model dispenses toy capsules when you insert a LEGO coin and turn the handle, complete with a satisfying click. The kit includes 16 minifigs inspired by classic LEGO themes like Castle, Paradisa, and Fabuland.

Artist Scott Sloan previously wowed us with his 1:6-scale mini pinball machines. Now, he’s showing off a miniature vending machine that actually dispenses tiny soda cans. It’s based on a classic 1970s Dixie Narco soda machine and works just like the real thing, complete with a coin mechanism. We love the funny Q*Bert sounds it makes.

MW Restoration paid 15 euros for a gumball machine that was in terrible shape. The machine was subjected to decades of wind and salt spray by the North Sea in Germany, along with what appears to be fire damage. But MW was undaunted and disassembled, sandblasted, repaired, and powdercoated the machine to make it look as good as new.

DanCreator has made some pretty amazing cardboard objects over the years. Now he’s gone and built not one, but three full-size vending machines out of the corrugated brown paper. Not only do they look like the real thing, but the soda fountain, can dispenser, and instant ramen machine are fully functional.

FudouKamui, a student from China’s Xi’an Academy of Fine Art created this vending machine that drops delicate china from its racks onto an unpadded shelf, shattering them on impact. The name of the installation translates to “This Is the Proof of Our Stupidity.” Also, each plate has a different price despite being identical.

Little Puffin shows how you can make a donut vending machine out of cardboard. It requires only a little soldering and no programming. But it still works like a proper vending machine, needing the right coin and all. Check out the video’s description for the materials.

UK-based charity group Action Hunger made the world’s first vending machine for the homeless. The machine dispenses food and other essentials, which can be accessed only by a key card obtained from a homeless center. More on the Independent.

Natural Nerd shows how to build a countertop machine which can dispense multiple beverages. It uses aquarium pumps to move liquids into your cup. It’s best for tea, juice, and other non-carbonated drinks. Full materials list and build details available on Instructables.

It’s not exactly the most mechanically complex build, but we still love the idea of YouTuber Goober’s (we made a rhyme!) spring-loaded cardboard and hot glue vending machine which can dispense up to five of your favorite candies with the push of a button.

Superlegosam wanted a soda machine on his desk, so he did what any LEGO geek would do, and built a fully-functional vending machine using LEGO bricks and an NXT controller. It even accepts coins. He’s also got a candy machine.

Australian based Fantastic Delites set up some humiliation vending machines that are more interested in how far you will go for their tasty treats than taking your hard-earned cash.

Bike Fixtation’s vending machine sells not just snacks but tools and materials for repairing bikes as well, such as inner tubes and patch kits. Sold as is or as part of a self-service kiosk.

We usually end up on the wrong end these sort of malfunctions, with our Twizzlers wedged against the glass despite all attempts to shake them loose. For every misfortune, there is also a triumph.